How Food Cravings Affect Mood, Thinking & Behavior

Food cravings that result from intolerance to certain foods like wheat, dairy, corn or soy can affect your moods, thinking, and behavior.

Eating DisordersAccording to Dr. Doris Rapp, a pediatric allergist and environmental specialist, food cravings in some people underlie eating disorders, like bulimia and anorexia nervosa.

AlcoholismFood addictions may be implicated in alcoholism. For instance, if you are sensitive to corn, you may drink a lot of beer. You think you’re addicted to drinking beer but actually you’re addicted to the corn.

Learning DisabilitiesFor years, many have made a connection between learning disabilities, attention disorders, and food intolerance. According to Benjamin Feingold, M.S., perhaps forty to fifty percent of hyperactive children are sensitive to artificial food colors, flavors, and preservatives, and to naturally occurring salicylates and phenolic compounds.

AutismRecently, scientists are discovering a link between autism, food intolerance and a weak immune system. When parents, like Karyn Seroussi, author of Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder: A Mother’s Story of Research and Recovery, have removed milk and wheat from the diet, some of these autistic children begin to behave more normally.